Graduation plan changes move forward

A bill that would make high school graduation requirements for Texas students more flexible passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday morning.

Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, amended the bill before passage to address criticism from the state’s higher education commissioner that the plan would leave students ill prepared for college. The revised bill calls for all students to take three years of science instead of two.

The changes come seven years after state lawmakers toughened high school graduation standards, requiring students to take four years each of English, math, science and social studies under the default diploma plan. School officials since have complained that students should not have to follow such a rigid plan, while business leaders have pushed for more challenging vocational electives to help prepare the rising workforce.

Patrick’s revised Senate Bill 3 requires students to take three years each of math, science and social studies and four years of English. Students then could earn “endorsements” in business and industry; arts and humanities; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); or distinguished academics.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, did not vote in favor of the bill, saying she was working on an amendment to help ensure students did not get “tracked” into certain paths, such as college or career. She also has advocated for the bill to be more comprehensive, to address standardized testing requirements. Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, also abstained, wanting the bill to address remediation and funding.